Ha Long Bay I

Another day, another nightmare on Vietnam's roads. We were picked up straight after breakfast by the minibus that was to whisk us safely (?) to Ha Long Bay, we were the only two occupants of said minibus aside from our psychopathic driver. I don't mean to be particularly harsh on our driver, they all seem pretty much the same. There are no rules of the road (if there are they are completely ignored by everybody), no give way, no merging in, no attempting to avoid an on coming vehicle! Aside from  that, after four fairly terrifying hours, including the inevitable stop at the cafe/ethnic food shop/gift emporium/WC/tourist trap, we were eventually delivered to quayside. After a short wait, we were ferried over to the Dragon Legend II, the craft that was destined to waft us around the several thousand islets that make up this beautiful world heritage site.

Our cabin

Upon boarding, we were almost immediately treated to an excellent lunch, whilst the afternoon's activities were explained to us. The options were sea kayaking, or a girlie chug around on the Dragon's ferry. Jayne, of course, plumped for the kayaking, whereas Simon, using potential back injury as an excuse, decided to stay warm and dry on the ferry. Whilst the bay is indeed, achingly beautiful, the grey and hazy weather once again has not been photo friendly, but we try our best.

As I type, I hear the call for dinner, thank the Lord, an end to the interminable Euro trash that is being piped through the speakers in the lounge bar.